Dawn
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Dawn - 19:54 Mar 25, 2026
KARACHI: Petroleum dealers announced on Wednesday that they were postponing a strike they planned to begin on March 26, keeping in view the situation resulting from the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has given rise to a global fuel crunch and supply uncertainties. Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairperson Abdul Sami Khan told Dawn that “we have postponed the strike, keeping in view the hardships consumers will face if the war escalates and leads to a supply chain crisis of petroleum products”. He did not give a confirmed date till when the strike was being postponed. Asked if the PPDA would call a strike in the near future, he said, “I cannot confirm right now as the situation is highly volatile.” The association had announced the strike on March 13 and given the government until March 26 to revise the petroleum dealers’ margin from 2.59 per cent to 8pc in the wake of a Rs55 per litre hike in diesel and petrol rates. The decision to raise the prices was announced on March 6 as Pakistan fe... -
Dawn - 19:53 Mar 25, 2026
Iran’s state-owned broadcaster Press TV reported on Wednesday that Tehran had “responded negatively” to an American proposal aimed at ending the US-Israeli war on the country. The report cited a senior political-security official. “The official with knowledge of the details of the proposal, speaking exclusively to Press TV, said Iran will not allow US President Donald Trump to dictate the timing of the war’s end,” the report said. The development came after it emerged that Pakistan had delivered a proposal from the US to Iran, and either Pakistan or Turkiye could be venues for discussions to de-escalate the war in the Gulf. According to the report, the official said, “Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met.“ The official also emphasised Tehran’s resolve to continue its defence and inflict “heavy blows” on the enemy until its demands are fulfilled, the publication said. “According to the official, Washington has been pursuing negotiations through various diplomatic c... -
Dawn - 17:55 Mar 25, 2026
Kasim Khan, the son of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, raised his father’s case at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday, saying that the former prime minister’s treatment by authorities was in violation of international human rights conventions. Imran — imprisoned since 2023 for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts — is serving a 14-year sentence at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail in the £190 million corruption case. Meanwhile, his party and family have alleged that he is being kept in solitary confinement — with a restriction on visitors being allowed to meet him in jail — and have repeatedly raised concerns over his medical treatment after it surfaced in January that he suffered an eye ailment. At a UNHRC session, Kasim said Imran’s case was not an “isolated incident”. In fact, he claimed, it was the “most visible example of a much wider pattern of repression in Pakistan since 2022”. In this connection, he mentioned the detention of political prisoners, trial and conviction of civili... -
Dawn - 15:42 Mar 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has said that as many as 10 universities have been offering unrecognised postgraduate degrees, directing these institutes to discontinue their programmes. A notification issued by the Council’s registrar, available with Dawn, said, that after a careful review of the record, it was identified that some universities had been offering and awarding postgraduate degrees and diplomas to MBBS and BDS doctors without fulfilling the mandatory requirement of recognition/accreditation under Section 25 of the PMDC Act, 2022. These universities included TIMES University in Multan, NUR International University in Lahore, Gomal University in DI Khan, Sohail University in Karachi, Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology in Rahim Yar Khan, University of Faisalabad, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Hazara University in Mansehra and Kohat University of Science and Technology. “Any institution seekin... -
Dawn - 14:50 Mar 25, 2026
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel killed two “most-wanted terrorists” affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) during an intelligence-based operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by the CTD. The press release said CTD personnel conducted the operation within the limits of Gomal police station on the basis of “credible intelligence”. It said that the suspects, upon encountering CTD personnel, opened fire on them. The press release added that the exchange of gunfire continued for around 40 minutes, following which a search operation was launched. During the search operation, the press release stated, two “terrorists were found dead”. It further said that two Kalashnikovs, along with six magazines and cartridges and two bandoliers, were found in the possession of the slain suspects. According to the CTD, the suspects were affiliated with the TTP’s Mushtaq group and had been involved in multiple attacks on police. The press releas... -
Dawn - 14:49 Mar 25, 2026
Pakistan delivered a proposal from the United States to Iran, and either Pakistan or Turkiye could be venues for discussions to de-escalate the war in the Gulf, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday. The comments, by an official speaking on condition of anonymity, were among the few signs that Tehran was willing to consider diplomatic proposals, despite having denied in public that it would negotiate with the administration of US President Donald Trump. However, later in the day, it emerged that Tehran had “responded negatively” to the US proposal and outlined five conditions under which Tehran would agree to end the ongoing conflict. The Iranian source that spoke to Reuters did not disclose details of the proposal passed on by Pakistan, or whether it was the same as a 15-point US proposal that has been reported by news outlets. The source said “either Turkiye or Pakistan was under consideration as the venue for such talks”. A source familiar with the matter had confirmed on Tuesday to Reuters t... -
Dawn - 14:06 Mar 25, 2026
The BBC named former Google executive Matt Brittin as its new director general on Wednesday, replacing Tim Davie, who quit last year after a misleading edit of a speech by US President Donald Trump. The BBC is facing a $10 billion lawsuit from Trump, who accuses the publicly funded broadcaster of defamation over how it spliced together footage of parts of a speech he gave on January 6, 2021, before his supporters stormed the US Capitol. The broadcaster has argued the lawsuit should be dismissed, saying Trump’s subsequent reelection showed the alleged defamation did not harm his reputation. Brittin joined Google in 2007 as head of UK and Ireland before rising through the ranks to become EMEA president in 2014. He stepped down in 2024 and will take on the new role from May 18. “This is a moment of real risk, yet also real opportunity. The BBC needs the pace and energy to be both where stories are, and where audiences are,” he said in a statement. “To build on the reach, trust and creative strengths today, confr... -
Dawn - 13:48 Mar 25, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday met with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and discussed the evolving situation in the Gulf amid the US-Israel war on Iran and matters of national importance. During the meeting, the prime minister informed Bilawal about Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting global peace in light of regional tensions. Both leaders also exchanged views on political developments and internal security challenges facing the country. Bilawal appreciated the federal government’s policies and measures to address potential challenges arising from the ongoing conflict, praising the prime minister’s leadership during a difficult time. The two leaders also reviewed development projects being carried out by the federal government in Sindh. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Naz... -
Dawn - 13:20 Mar 25, 2026
Despite gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset, its price has plunged since the outbreak of the Middle East war, erasing almost all its 2026 gains after reaching record highs. Here’s why the price of gold has fallen as global economic uncertainty rises. Urgent need for cash Uncertainty around the Middle East conflict has prompted investors to rapidly sell off assets to raise cash and offset losses elsewhere. They have turned first to selling gold, “given the size of the rally seen over the course of the past year”, said Joshua Mahony, chief market analyst at Scope Markets. By liquidating gold and sister metal silver, investors gain access to dollars — the currency used to trade oil and other energy products. Oil prices have soared owing to the closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz and strikes on Gulf energy infrastructure. Gold is trading at around $4,550 an ounce, after reaching highs above $5,500 earlier in the year on mounting geopolitical tensions — from US President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught to ... -
Dawn - 12:22 Mar 25, 2026
Millions of Sri Lankans enjoyed a government-ordered extra day off on Wednesday as the island nation battles an energy crisis triggered by the Middle East war. Rail and bus stations were largely deserted as most state institutions, schools and universities shifted to a four-day working week. “I am really enjoying the mid-week break because it is a fully paid holiday,” said housing ministry official Prarthana Perera, 40. Her office, like many government departments in Battaramulla — the capital’s main administrative hub — was closed. Banks operated on shorter hours, while many private firms introduced work-from-home arrangements, industry bodies said, urging members to help curb energy use. Sri Lanka has already raised fuel prices by a third since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks that have disrupted global energy supplies. About half of Sri Lanka’s electricity is generated by coal and diesel. The cabinet has set a target of cutting electricity consumption by 25 pe... -
Dawn - 12:08 Mar 25, 2026
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed authorities to accelerate the export of surplus food items to Gulf countries while ensuring an uninterrupted domestic supply, and called for a comprehensive plan to expand flight operations and enhance port efficiency in view of the evolving regional situation. The directives came as the premier chaired a high-level meeting to review the export of food items to the Middle East and Pakistan’s port and maritime operations, according to a handout by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). During the meeting, the premier was informed that a special committee had approved 40 food items for exporting to Gulf countries amid the current regional situation. It should be noted that earlier, PM Shehbaz issued directives for the formulation of a strategy for exporting surplus food items to Gulf countries while making sure that Pakistan’s nutritional needs were not affected. The meeting on Wednesday was also briefed on the measures taken regarding the matter. “These ... -
Dawn - 10:49 Mar 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The government has finalised a mobile application-based quota system for fuel for two- and three-wheelers, which may possibly include up to 800cc vehicles, to ensure a targeted subsidy to the low-income strata and to minimise oil consumption through pricing signals. The details of the quota-based fuel supply system have been tested and finalised by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the ministries of finance, petroleum and information technology, a senior government official told Dawn. Based on these workings, the government will now take a final decision on whether the scheme should extend to small cars or remain restricted to two- and three-wheelers. The government plan involves “a quota-based fuel supply system” to be operated through a mobile application and would be end-to-end automated. “A free, pre-installed app for retail operators will be provided,” said a senior official, adding that consumers will use a separate application. Meanwhile, the government will mandate a minimum o... -
Dawn - 10:32 Mar 25, 2026
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) urged authorities to revisit the proposed 28th Constitutional Amendment and make necessary changes to safeguard citizens’ rights and uphold democracy. Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, alongside Mustafa Kamal and Farooq Sattar, highlighted what they described as the escalation of long-standing political tensions. “Today, to address this properly, the 28th Constitution Amendment needs to be reviewed, and if necessary, amended. This would allow a decisive resolution to be made urgently.” Siddiqui told reporters. “Pakistan seems prepared, and political parties do not appear to oppose the 28th Amendment with the same intensity,” he added. He added that after the amendment is tabled and cleared by the country’s lawmakers, people should know they did it for the sake of the country. Farooq Sattar also weighed in, emphasising local governance and citizen participation. “Now’s the time to transform Pakistan’s feudal democrac... -
Dawn - 10:31 Mar 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: As global temperatures continue to rise due to the burning of fossil fuels, Pakistan is projected to see a net increase in mortality of 51 deaths per 100,000 people by 2050, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for 90 per cent of these premature deaths due to climate change. According to a study, these are the first projections of rising temperatures’ impact on mortality to target adaptation planning, which are compiled by the Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago, using “highly-localised data from around the world”. “Ten times more people are projected to die each year in lower-income countries (about 391,000 people) than in higher-income countries (about 39,000 people) due to shifting temperatures, despite being expected to have roughly equal populations,” the study noted, while highlighting the disproportionate impact of heatwaves on the Global South. Pakistan and Burkina Faso will be the hardest-hit countries, as per these projections. Pakistani cities fare even worse due ... -
Dawn - 10:22 Mar 25, 2026
French investigators searched the Paris offices of Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild as part of an inquiry into alleged corruption involving a French diplomat named in documents linked to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, prosecutors said on Tuesday. The name of Fabrice Aidan, a middle-ranking French diplomat who was seconded to the United Nations from 2006 to 2013 and later worked at the bank, appeared in more than 200 documents released by the US Justice Department. These include emails he is alleged to have sent Epstein between 2010 and 2016 from his personal and UN accounts. Some of the emails reviewed by Reuters show the transfer of UN Security Council briefings and other confidential documents to Epstein during that period. Aidan has denied wrongdoing, and his lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The French Foreign Ministry said it had completed an administrative investigation, performing about 30 interviews. The ministry said all current and former staff members who had... -
Dawn - 10:18 Mar 25, 2026
Pet lovers eagerly gathered around a container to snap photos of meerkats at a Beijing animal fair, each selling for $320, while nearby, a raccoon nervously paced in a cage only slightly bigger than itself. Throngs of people from across China packed into the cavernous exhibition halls for the annual pet fair, where exotic animals are a more common sight than cats or dogs. The exotic pet industry is experiencing rapid growth with a market nearing 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion), Chinese state media have said. Approximately 17.07 million people in China have exotic pets, Xinhua reported last year, and animal rights groups have raised concerns about welfare standards. Unconventional pets are particularly popular among young people, with videos on how to raise them widely shared on social media platforms. A boy looks at a snake at a pet fair in Beijing on March 19, 2026. —AFP/File An 18-year-old putting down a deposit for a meerkat told AFP he was confident it would be easier to raise the animal than his previous... -
Dawn - 08:50 Mar 25, 2026
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rain in Karachi on Thursday, along with showers in other areas of Sindh over the rest of the week. In its daily weather outlook issued on Wednesday, the PMD said that a westerly wave was “affecting southern parts and spread over most parts of the country today”. It forecast partly cloudy weather in Karachi today, with a maximum temperature of 32-34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 24.5°C. A separate statement by the PMD added that there was a chance of light rain or drizzle in some areas of the city. The humidity was expected to reach 84 per cent in the morning before dropping to 45-55pc in the evening, with a west/southwesterly wind prevailing, it said. On Thursday, mostly cloudy weather was expected in the city with “rain-wind or thunderstorm at isolated places”. The PMD predicted highs of 31-33°C and lows of 23-25°C with humidity levels of 75-85pc in the daytime, and a west/southwesterly wind. Friday will bring mostly sunny weather, with mercury sur... -
Dawn - 08:00 Mar 25, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday announced that it was introducing an optional multi-tariff time of use (ToU) mechanism for industrial consumers for optimal utilisation of grid supply through pricing signals. “The Power Division is considering introduction of a new optional tariff mechanism aimed at facilitating industrial consumers and enhancing overall efficiency in electricity utilisation,” an official statement said. The division said that several internal consultative and technical meetings had already been undertaken by Power Minister Sardar Awais Khan Leghari in this regard. Under this proposed framework, industrial consumers will have the flexibility to opt into a multi-slab tariff structure, where energy pricing is based on average marginal cost signals across defined time-of-use slabs. This approach is designed to better reflect the actual cost of electricity supply during different periods. The tariff will consist of two primary components that include fixed charges and variable energy charge... -
Dawn - 07:48 Mar 25, 2026
WASHINGTON: Speakers at an hours-long symposium on Capitol Hill on Tuesday noted that Pakistan’s gesture to mediate peace between the United States and Iran, amid the recent escalation of hostilities between Washington and Tehran, reflects growing confidence in Islamabad’s diplomatic role in regional disputes. Referring to the recent US–Iran military confrontation — which included direct strikes and retaliatory actions that heightened tensions across the Gulf — participants observed that Pakistan’s outreach underscored its desire to play a stabilising role in a region already burdened by multiple conflicts. Speakers argued that Pakistan, a developing country of more than 250 million people situated in a strategically sensitive region bordering Afghanistan, Iran, India and close to the Gulf, must be viewed beyond a narrow security lens. They noted that the country has a large diaspora in the United States, a growing and educated middle class, significant natural resources, and nuclear capability — factors that... -
Dawn - 07:30 Mar 25, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday hailed Saudi Arabia for showing “remarkable restraint” during the ongoing Middle East hostilities and stressed the need for urgent de-escalation. He made the remarks during a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wherein the two discussed Iran’s retaliatory attacks sparked by the US-Israel military actions on February 28. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) about the phone call early this morning termed their conversation “warm and cordial”. “While appreciating the leadership of the Kingdom for demonstrating remarkable restraint in the current crisis, the prime minister reassured His Royal Highness that Pakistan would always stand by the Kingdom and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia, just as they had always supported Pakistan, through thick and thin,” the PMO stated. It further said that the prime minister “reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia and expressed, once again, Pakistan’s com...
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